Circuit component selecting unit



3811- 1950 E. P. THIAS ETAL CIRCUIT COMPONENT SELECTING UNIT Filed July 23, 1948 m /g m M Patented Jan. 31, 1950 FFICE CIRCUIT COMPONENT SELECTING UNIT Edwin P. Thias, Hollywood, and Warren, W. 7 White, Altadena, Calif., assignors to Standard Coil Products (30., Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 23, 1948, Serial No. 40.394

o Claims. (01. 171-242) This invention relates to circuit component selecting means 'for radio, television and like apparatus, and particularly the invention relates to the manner of securing individual electrical panels in the settable switching drum of a preselector or like unit.

In radio and television apparatus as heretofore constructed, it has been customaryin many instances to utilize a rotatable selecting drum as a switching unit for band selection and like purposes, and such switching drums have had a large number of individual electrical units or panels releasably secured in position about the periphery of the drum so that contact elements on these individual units might be selectably moved into association with stationary contact members for placing different combinations of electrical components in the circuits of the apparatus. Such individual panels as employed in prior switching units have been secured in place by means of spring fastening devices, and the construction has been such as to require at least one and sometimes two individual spring elements on each such panel or on the drum for cooperation with each such panel. Thus, in a pre-selector switching unit for use in a television receiver, the twelve channels allocated for tele vision transmission have required two individual panels for each such channel so that a total of twenty-four panels have been required on each switching drum. Assuming that but one resilient latch element is needed for releasably securing each such panel in position, the 'prior switching apparatus has necessitated the provision and mounting of twenty-four individual spring units, and this has, of course, contributed materially to the high cost encountered in such prior units. It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to simplify the provision of switching units of the aforesaid char-, acter, and more specifically it is an object to aflord a resilient retaining element for each of the I panels to be included in such a drum in such a way that the manufacturing cost is materially reduced. A related and more specific object is to enable a single element that maybe formed by the economical processes of stamping and form ing to be effective to individually secure a large number of such panels releasably in position on a switching drum.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illus-. tration, show a preferred embodiment and, the

principles thereof and what we now consider to be the best mode in which we have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a transverse section taken through a circuit component selecting unit embodying the invention and illustrating one end of the switching drum of the unit;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of portion of the apparatus; and

Fig. 5' is a fragmentary side view showing one of the elements of the mounting drum.

For purposes of disclosure the invention has been illustrated herein as embodied in a pre-selector switching unit I0 adapted particularly for use in a television receiver, and this apparatus includes a frame I I in which a rotatable shaft I2 is mounted so as to support a drum I3. The shaft I2 has an actuating knob I4 fixed thereon so that the drum I3 may be rotated to bring individual panels I5 and I8 into alignmentwith a row of relatively stationary contacts "that are mounted onan insulating panel I9 as described in our copending application, Serial No. 31,358, filed June 5, 1948. The panels I5 and I8 are formed of insulating material and are used as carriers for. circuit components such as inductance coils, capacitors, and the like, which may be connected in the related circuits I50 and ISO disposed on the panels for selective engagement with the contacts I8, inductance coils CI and C2, Fig. 2, being shown connected in the circuits I 50 and ICC, respectively, to illustrate one form which the aforementioned circuit components may assume. It will be understood, of course, that the inductance coils CI and C2 are shown merely by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, and that other circuit components may be used in connection with our device without departing from the purview of the invention. The several panels I5 and I6 are arranged in two annular rows, and to afford support for these panels, the drum I3 is formed with end walls 20 and 2| secured to the opposite ends of acentral sleeve 22. Intermediate the ends of the sleeve 22 a central disc 23 is fixed on the sleeve and about its edge 3 the disc 23 has aligning notches IIN adapted to be selectively engaged with a yielding aligning roller 23R. The panels 15 are arranged to be disposed between the discs 2. and 23, while the panels it are arranged to be supported between the discs 2| and 23, and these panels are in each instance arranged in an annular ring about the drum. Thus, the disc 23 has a plurality of slots 238 formed therein in an annular row, as will be evident in Fig. of the drawings, and this defines a plurality of radial posts IIP between the adjacent slots 23S, and each panel II has a pair of spaced teeth projecting at one of its ends so that these teeth may snugly embrace one of the posts 23?. Thus, the teeth lO-l are located on opposite sides of such a post ZIP and are disposed within the adjacent slots 288 so that this end of the panel I8 is held against radial as well 4 end disc 20, and when so positioned will clear the attachment lugs 22L whereby the end disc 2| is secured to the central sleeve 22 of the drum. The spring disc 8| is secured in this position on the outer face of the end disc by means such as a plurality of rivets 3|, and about its edge, the spring disc has a plurality of integral spring arms 36 that extend generally in a radial direcas circumferential movement with respect to the disc 23. At its other end, the panel ll has a relatively wide tooth "-2, and after the teeth lt-I have been placed in the position shown in Fig. 3, the tooth lS-I is disposed between a pair of radially projecting lugs I I2 formed on the edge of the end disc 2|. A plurality of such teeth Il-Z are formed on the disc 2i so as to afford similar mounting spaces for all of the panels I. that are to be put in place on the drum. When the tooth l6-2 is thus located between the lugs 2l2, the side edges of the tooth ll-l bear against the adjacent edges of the lugs ll-l and the inner face of the tooth l8-2 bears against an outwardly facing surface 2 1-8, Fig. 4, formed on the disc 2! between the adjacent teeth li-I. Moreover, shoulders "-4 bear against the inner faces of the lugs 2 l2 so that the panel II is held against endwise displacement with the teeth IB-I in position in the slots 238.

With respect to the panels i5, it will be observed that widely spaced teeth li-i are afforded at one end thereof so that these teeth l5-l may be extended into the adjacent slots 23S and on opposite sides of the teeth I tl of the aligned panel It. This relationship is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thus, the end of the panel I 5 that is adiacent the central disc 23 is held against radial as well as circumferential movement with respect to the disc 23. At its other end, the panel I! has a relatively wide tooth i5-2 that is engaged with the end disc 20 between lugs 20-2 in the same manner as the panel i6 is engaged with the end disc 2|.

With the arrangement thus described, the panels I5 and it may be maintained in the desired assembled relationship on the drum merely by holding the teeth I 5! and i 8-! against outward radial displacement, and under and in accordance with the present invention this is accomplished by spring latch means that may readily be released when individual panels are to be mounted on or removed from the drum. Under the present invention, the spring latch means for all of the twelve panels at on end of the drum are provided by a single member that may be readily formed by the economical processes of stamping and forming. Thus, as will be evident in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a pair of spring discs II and II are provided, and these discs are similar in form, although they are shaped as right and lefthand members. Thus, the spring disc 3| is 11- lustrated in detail in Fig. l of the drawings, and comprises a stamping made from resilient or spring sheet metal with a central clearance opening 33 and extensions 83E so that the spring disc illmaybedispomagainsttheouterfaceofthe tion. When twelve panels are to be arranged about the periphery 01' a switching drum, twelve such spring arms a are provided, and at the outer end of each arm I. a latching lip L is provided by bending the end of the arm II as is best shown in Figs. 2 and a of the drawings so that this lip may extend over the outer surface of the related tooth "-2 of the related panel ll.

As will be evident in Figs. 2 and 4, the spring disc II is similarly formed and has similar radial arms 31 with latching lips IIL formed thereon to overlie the teeth "-2 of the panels It.

Thus, when a panel such as the panel is of Fig. 2 is to be mounted, the lugs i5l are put in position in the slots 23S, and when this is being done, the panel I! may have the other end thereof separated in an outward radial direction from each of the end discs 2.. The related spring arm 86 is then withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 2. and the tooth I B! is moved downwardly into position between the adjacent teeth 20-2 so that the spring arm 38 may then be released so as to allow the latching lip 36L thereof to move into a retaining position over the outer face of the tooth lS-i. Thus, the several individual panels I! and I. included on the drum of the switching device may readily be put in place or removed from the drum, and under the present invention the individually releasable spring latching means for the relatively large number of such panels that are to be mounted in one annular series are provided in a single stamping that may be readily and economically formed, and which may be put in place by simple and economical assembly operations. Thus, the switching drum of the present invention may be more economically produced and more readily assembled.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention materially simplifies the manufacture and assembly of switching drums for use in radio, television and like apparatus, and it will be evident that this invention materially reduces the cost of such switching devices and assures proper functioning thereof in a mechanical sense, even though the manufacturing and assembling procedures are materially simplified and reduced in cost.

Thus, while we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector in television or like apparatus, a rotatable switching drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, and means for releasably securing a plurality of componentsupporting panels in an annular series about said axis and in spanning relation between said discs, said means comprising slots in one of said discs for interlocking engagement with one end of each of such panels, to hold such end against both radial and circumferential displacement, radial lugs about the periphery of the other disc between which the other ends of such panels may be moved radially inwardly into positions parallel to the axis of the drum, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position be tween said lugs and comprising a single spring disc secured to the outer face of said other mounting disc and having individual spring arms formed integrally therewith and projecting generally radially, each of said arms having interlocking means at the end thereof to engage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

2. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector means in television or like apparatus. a rotatable switching drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis"'of the drum, and means for releasably securing a plurality of circuit component-supporting panels in an annular series about said axis and in spanning relation between said discs, said means comprising cooperating interlocking elements on said panels at one end thereof and on one of said discs for interlocking engagement to hold such end against both radial and circumferential displacement, positioning means on and about the periphery of the other disc with which the other ends of such panels may be engaged by inward radial movement of the panels into positions parallel to the axis of the drum, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends 01' such panels in position in said positioning means and comprising individual spring arms projecting generally radially, each of said arms having means at the free end thereof adapted to engage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

3. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector in television or like apparatus, a rotatable switching drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, and means for releasably securing a plurality oi' component-supporting panels in an annular series about said axis and in spanning relation between said discs, said panels each having at least one locating tooth pro- I jecting from each end thereof and having shoulders at said ends beside said teeth and facing endwise of the panels, said means comprising slots in one of said discs into which the teeth at one end of such panels may be inserted endwise to engage the adjacent shoulders with said one disc andthereby determine the longitudinal positions of said panels and also to hold such ends against both radial and circumferential displacement, radial lugs about the periphery of the other disc between which lugs the teeth at the other'ends of such panels may be moved radially inwardly to dispose said panels in positions parallel to the axis of the drum and with the adjacent shoulders on said panels in engagement with the inner surfaces of said lugs to thereby locate and hold the panels in predetermined longitudinal position relative to the discs, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position between said lugs and comprising a single springdisc secured to the outer face of said other mounting disc and having individualospring' arms formed integrally therewith and projecting generally radially, each oi said arms having an interlocking element integrally iormedthereon and adapted to engage said other end or one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

4. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector means in television or like apparatus, a rotatable selector 'drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, reactance components, supporting panels therefor having outwardly disposed contacts adapted to selectively connect said reactance components into said television circuit, and means for securing a plurality of said reactance supporting panels in an annular series about said axis in spanning relation between said discs, said means comprising slots in I one of said discs for inter-locking engagement with one end of each of such panels, to hold such end against both radial and circumferential displacement, radial lugs about the periphery of the other disc between which the other ends of such panels may be moved radially inwardly into positions parallel to the axis of the drum, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position between said lugs and comprising a single spring disc secured to the outer face of said other mounting disc and having individual spring arms formed integrally therewith and projecting generally radially, each of said arms having interlocking means at the end thereof to engage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

5. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector means in television or like apparatus, a rotatable selector drum includingspaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, reactance components, supporting panels therefor having outwardly dis posed contacts adapted to selectively connect said reactance components into said television cir cult, and means for securing a plurality of said reactance supporting panels in an annular series about said axis in spanning relation between said discs, same means comprising cooperating interlocking elements on said panels at one end there:-

of and on one of said discs for interlocking engagement to hold such end against both radial and circumferential displacement, positioning means on and about the periphery of the other disc with which the other ends of such panels may be engaged by inward radial movement of the panels into positions parallel to the axis of the drum, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position in said positioning means and comprising individual spring arms pro- Jecting generally radially, each of said arms having means at the free end thereof adapted to en-' gage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

6. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector means in television or like apparatus, a rotatable selector drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, reactance components, supporting panels therefor having outwardly disposed contacts adapted to selectively connect said reactance components into said television circuit, and means for securing a plurality of said reactance supporting panels in an annular series about said axis in spanning relation between said discs, said panels each having at least one locating tooth projecting from each end thereof and having shoulders at said ends beside said teeth and facing endwise of the panels, said cones inserted endwise to engage the adjacent shoulders with said one disc and thereby determine the longitudinal positions of said panels and also to hold such ends against both radial and circumferential displacement, radial lugs about the periphery of the other disc between which lugs the teeth at the other ends of such panels may be moved radially inwardly to dispose said panels in positions parallel to the axis of the drum and with the adjacent shoulders on said panels in engagement with the inner surfaces of said lugs to thereby locate and hold the panels in predetermined longitudinal position relative to the discs, and retaining means for individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position between said lugs and comprising spring means secured to the outer iace of said other mounting disc and having individual spring arms formed integrally therewith and projecting generally radially, each of said arms having an interlocking element integrally formed thereon and adapted to engage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

'7. In a circuit selecting unit adapted for use as a selector means in television or like apparatus, a rotatable selector drum including spaced mounting discs disposed in parallel relation and normal to the axis of the drum, reactance components, supporting panels therefor having outwardly disposed contacts adapted to selectively connect said reactance components into said television circuit, and means for securing a plurality of said reactance supporting panels in an annular series about said axis in spanning relation between said discs, said panels each having at least one locating tooth projecting from each end thereof and having shoulders at said ends beside said teeth and facing endwise of the panels, said means comprising slots in one of said discs into which the teeth at one end of such panels may be inserted endwise to engage the adjacent shoulders with said one disc and thereby deter- 8 pendicular to the axis of rotation of said mm, a plurality of dielectric panels disposed parallel to the axis of rotation and in spanning relation between contiguous discs, each of said panels having reactance components secured thereto and contacting members adapted to selectively connect said reactance components to said first mentioned stationary contacts upon selective positioning of said drum, one end of each of said panels and the contiguous discs being iormed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective radial or peripheral movement, the other end-of each of said panels and the contiguous discs being formed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective peripheralmovement. and resilient means associated with said second mentioned discs to releasably secure said panel against radial movement.

9. A circuit component selector comprising a frame and a circuit selector drum rotatably mounted in said frame, said frame having a plurality of stationary contacts adapted to be connected to portions of electrical circuits, said selector drum comprising at least two discs in spaced parallel relation, concentric with and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said drum, a plurality of dielectric panels disposed parallel to the axis of rotation and in spanning relation between contiguous discs, each of said panels having reactance components secured thereto and contacting members adapted to selectively conmine the longitudinal positions of said panelsand also to hold such ends against both radial and circumferential displacement, radial lugs about the periphery of the other disc between which lugs the teeth at the other ends of such panels may be moved radially inwardly to dispose said panels in positions parallel to the axis of the drum and with the adjacent shoulders on said panels in engagement with the inner surfaces of said lugs to thereby locate and hold the panels in predetermined longitudinal position relative to the discs, and retaining means 101' individually engaging and releasably holding such other ends of such panels in position between said lugs and comprising a single spring disc having individual spring arms formed integrally therewith and projecting generally radially,

means securing said spring disc to the outer face of said other disc. each of said arms having an integral end portion bent substantially perpendicular to said arm and adaptedto engage said other end of one of such panels to releasably hold the same in place.

8. A circuit component selector comprising a frame and a circuit selector drum rotatably mounted in said frame, said frame having a plurality of stationary contacts adapted to be connected to portions of electrical circuits, said selector drum comprising at least two discs in spaced parallel relation, concentric with and pernect said reactance components to said first mentioned stationary contacts upon selective positioning of said drum, one end of each of said panels and the contiguous discs being formed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective radial or peripheral movement, the other end of each of said panels and the contiguous discs being formed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective peripheral movement, and resilient means associated with said second mentioned discs to releasably secure said panel against radial movement, said resilient means comprising a ring secured to said disc. said ring being formed with a radially disposed resilient finger adjacent the end of each panel, said fingers being formed with an inwardly bent lip adapted to engage the outer edge of each panel to thereby prevent radial movement of said panel.

10. A circuit component selector comprising a frame, and a circuit selector drum rotatably mounted in said frame, said frame having a plurality of stationary contacts adapted to be connected to portions oi electrical circuits, said selector drum comprising at least two discs in spaced actance components to said first mentioned stationary contacts upon selective positioning of said drum, one end or each or said panels and the contiguous discs being formed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective radial or peripheral movement, the other end or each oi said panels and the contiguous discs being formed with interlocking members adapted to prevent respective peripheral movement, and resilient means associated with said second mentioned discs to releasably secure said panel against radial movement, one of said discs being formed with cir- 1| cumferentially spaced indentations and resilient QJOG, 188

means secured to said frame adapted to engage successively each of said indentations to selectively positioned said drum. Nuggegm EDWIN P. THIAS. 1 785 940 WARREN w. W i 1,899,144 2 104 458 EN E rmn FER c s 0 2,423,152

The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Norden June 28, 1898 Ennes Dec. 23, 1930 Gebhard Feb. 28, 1933 Goudet Jan. 4, 1938 Mitchell July 1, 1947 

